Webworld

Writers: Len Wein and Diane Duane

In an attempt to cure Galvatron's madness, Cyclonus takes him to the medical planet Torkulon.

Major Characters (in order of appearance): Galvatron, Cyclonus, Quintessons, Scourge

Minor Characters (in order of appearance): Torkulon Patients (3), Torkulon Doctors, the "Alia,"

Original Air Date: 20th October 1986

Summary

The Decepticons approach an asteroid belt in deep space, searching for a material known as isodrite. As Galvatron rants about crushing his enemies and everyone else, Ratbat finds an isodrite deposit -- already being mined by the Autobots. A battle ensues, during which Galvatron spends nearly as much time bashing his own troops aside as he does firing at the Autobots. With his "help", the bemused Autobots make a clean escape aboard Sky Lynx.

Back on Chaar, Motormaster and Swindle have words with Cyclonus: either do something about Galvatron's madness, or face rebellion. A holographic image of a Quintesson appears to Cyclonus, and advises him that there are planets which specialize in repairing damaged minds, such as Torkulon. Not knowing what else to do, Cyclonus considers the idea, while the Quintessons gloat among themselves that shortly they will have several less Transformers to deal with -- including the "most dangerously unpredictable of them all."

Cyclonus lies to Galvatron, informing him that the Autobots are resting after their most recent skirmish on Torkulon; the deranged leader eagerly takes the bait, flying to the planet with Cyclonus and the Sweeps. Upon landing, Galvatron threatens several alien flesh creatures, demanding them to hand over Ultra Magnus. The Torkulons arrive shortly; when Galvatron predictably refuses their orders for non-violence, they restrain him. Galvatron quickly realizes Cyclonus has deceived him. Galvatron is carried away to begin his therapy, while Cyclonus fills out a small ream of paperwork.

As the therapy proceeds, Scourge has his doubts -- "This is stupid! Let's get him out of here!" Cyclonus says to at least give it a chance. The Torkulons are unsuccessful in getting Galvatron to talk about his problems, and even less successful when they have him put together external objects to repair his damaged psyche: Galvatron builds himself a blaster and tries to escape. Finally they attempt "exo-drama" where patients act out their problems but a bouncing alien screaming at Galvatron finally causes him to snap further, shouting back that "I'll give you something to scream about!!" Galvatron becomes immune to the electromagnetic restraints of the Torkulons; they throw everything they have at him, restraining him for their last resort - the Alia solution.

The chief therapist reveals that Torkulon itself is a living planet, and can manifest itself in the form of insectoid creatures that consume the damaged portions of those who cannot be helped, in effect lobotomizing the planet's victims and leaving them mindless. Cyclonus protests and demands Galvatron's release, but he and Scourge are also restrained by the Torkulons.

The Alia begin to feed on Galvatron who continues to resist: "You have no right to change what I am!" The Torkulon doctor informs him "You've already been changed; that's the problem." Cyclonus can barely watch as his leader's mind is invaded by Torkulon -- but something goes wrong. The madness of Galvatron proves to be too strong for the living planet, causing it to malfunction. In the chaos, Galvatron, Scourge and Cyclonus are released from the planet's grasp. After taking a few shots at Cyclonus for getting him in this mess, Galvatron fights to the center of the planet, having seen into its mind while it was inside his. The planet fears Galvatron's madness and destructive potential and attempts to restrain him, but Galvatron powers his way through to its living-computer core. Several cannon mode blasts render the entire planet inoperable. Galvatron informs Cyclonus he will now destroy whatever is left, and warns Cyclonus against stopping him.

After the planet is reduced to smoke and rubble, Galvatron gloats over the beauty of "devastation wrought with precision and care," seemingly just a little more sane... until Cyclonus informs Galvatron that it will take the Torkulons centuries to rebuild. Galvatron decides his work isn't done if it's going to take "only centuries", but a weary Cyclonus suggests that the Autobots might be a more pressing concern. Galvatron smiles at the prospect of killing Ultra Magnus; the Decepticons flee the planet, leaving the Torkulons at the mercy of their former insane patients.

Notes

Quotes

Galvatron: "Crush the Earth and its puny humanity! CRUSH ANYONE ANYTHING THAT DARES TO OPPOSE US!!!"

Cyclonus: "Mighty Galvatron, please! We must use strategy and reason-"
Galvatron: "Strategy is for COWARDS!!!"

Perceptor: "Remarkable. Galvatron is doing most of the work for us."

Sky Lynx: "May we leave this neighborhood... before it deteriorates further?!"

Galvatron: "Kill...smash...destroy!" Therapist: "Yes... go on." Galvatron: "Rend...MANGLE...DISTORT!!!" Therapist: "Interesting..."

Galvatron: "I'll destroy everything here -- everything! And THEN, I'll destroy the Autobots!" Therapist: "Yes... tell me about the Autobots." Galvatron: "I HATE Autobots! I hate CYCLONUS!... And I'm not very fond of YOU, either!!"

Galvatron: "You wanna scream? I'll give you something to scream about!!!"

Galvatron: "You fear me, don't you planet? You know I know your secret!"

Galvatron: "You cannot stop me!! I am Galvatron!! I am your destruction!!"
Cyclonus: "He *is* crazy"

Technical/Animation Glitches

• Soundwave's only line in this episode once again lacks his trademark harmonics, meaning it once again sounds like Dr. Claw!

Continuity Errors

• Perhaps not a continuity error or an animation flaw, as much as a quirk, is that this is the last G1 appearance of Laserbeak (without Soundwave) who appears in the party of angry Decepticons threatening to eliminate Cyclonus if something isn't done about Galvatron's madness.

Transformers References

• Some allusion is made to Galvatron's former life as Megatron. While the Torkulons attempt to lobotomize the Decepticon leader, he states that they have "no right" to change what he is, to which the Torkulon Doctor replies "You have already been changed, that's the problem." On the other hand, this could also be taken to mean the plasma damage that changed him from his saner personality as seen in the movie.

Real-World References

• Large portions of the episode, especially the therapy sessions, seemed to parody real psychological treatment methods such as word association and dramatherapy. The intentions of the Alia to consume Galvatron's mind could also be taken as a reference to a lobotomy, a process that can "cure" certain mental illnesses but removes significant parts of the patient's personality.

External Links

• The Web Planet (Doctor Who) information at Wikipedia

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.